Western Australia shines in Top Tourism Awards

• Western Australian steals show at Australian Top Tourism Awards 2023
• Mandurah recognised as Top Tourism Town in the country for 2023
• Dwellingup takes out Tiny Tourism Town category
• WA-based tourism operator takes out Australia's Top Tour Guide
• Australian Tourism Awards are the industry's peak award series

Mandurah has today been crowned the nation's top tourism town at the Australian Top Tourism Awards in Canberra.

The coastal city has been recognised for its aquatic, adventure, fine dining and entertainment tourism experiences, as well as for its accessibility to the capital city.  

Dwellingup took out the Tiny Tourism Town category, putting the Murray River region's swimming holes and world class mountain bike trails on the map.

In theTop Tour Guide category, WA-based Rosanna Angus took out the award for her work running Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours as well as her work on the Board of the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Council (WAITOC).

The Australian Top Tourism Awards showcase the value tourism adds to towns and communities across Australia and celebrate the diversity of regional destinations all over the country.

The Australian Top Tourism Awards are held as part of the national tourism industry's awards series, the Australian Tourism Awards, which aim to recognise and promote excellence in tourism across the country.

Presented by the Tourism Council of Australia and supported by Tourism Australia, winners are selected from a list of finalists in their respective State awards categories by an industry judging panel and through a public voting process.

This is only the third year the Australian Top Tourism Awards have been open to towns across the nation, while WA has celebrated the State's top tourism towns for 50 years as part of the Perth Airport Western Australia Tourism Awards.

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:

"From north to south and inland, it is wonderful to see the likes of Mandurah and Dwellingup being recognised on a national scale in these industry awards.

"Western Australia has some truly remarkable destinations for visitors to explore, and it's great to see the valuable promotion of some of these towns across the country, raising the profile of the State as a tourism destination.

"I'd also like to congratulate Rosanna Angus, for taking out an award in the Top Tour Guide category – it's great to see local tourism operators recognised for their hard work in the field."

Comments attributed to Mandurah MLA David Templeman:

"This just confirms what we've known for a long time about how great Mandurah is, and I'm so happy that it's getting the recognition on the national stage that it deserves.

"Mandurah is a fantastic spot, with great beaches and canals, a lovely and relaxed vibe, as well as fine dining and other great tourism experiences, so I encourage everyone to make the short trip south for their next holiday or weekend away and enjoy everything the town has to offer."

Comments attributed to Dawesville MLA Lisa Munday:

"This is such fantastic news for the people of the Dawesville electorate to see their area being recognised on the national stage for how great it is.

"We're only an hour out of the city as well, so I really hope this well-deserved award encourages people to take a trip to the region and explore the wonderful attractions." 

 Comments attributed to Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke:

"Dwellingup is such a beautiful part of the world and has something for everyone – whether you're wanting to hike, walk or mountain bike through the scenic forests, or enjoy the local wineries, galleries and cafes.

"Awards and accolades like this are fantastic in promoting all there is to see and do in Dwellingup, and I look forward to welcoming more tourists and visitors to the town now that the word is out."

Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:  

"It's people like Rosanna Angus who really make the Kimberley the tourist attraction it is, with their enthusiasm and great local knowledge they can pass onto visitors.

"I'm so happy that local operators in our region, like Rosanna and Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours, are getting the recognition they deserve and certainly encourage people to check out her tours."